South Korean police have arrested one of three Russian nationals accused of attempting to rob Korean investors during a fake cryptocurrency deal at a hotel in Seoul. The suspects reportedly tried to steal 1 billion won (around $730,000) in cash during a staged transaction.
The arrest was made on May 27 in Busan, according to a report from JoongAng Daily. The suspect, a man in his 20s, faces charges of attempted robbery and assault. Two other suspects fled the country before authorities could issue a travel ban. Police have sought help from Interpol to track them down.
The attempted robbery took place on May 21 in a hotel located in Seoul’s Gangseo District. The suspects posed as crypto traders and invited ten local investors to the hotel under the guise of a peer-to-peer exchange. Two of the investors were brought to a room, where they were ambushed by the suspects armed with a replica handgun and a telescopic baton. Wearing protective vests, the attackers bound the victims with cable ties.
One of the victims managed to escape and raise the alarm, prompting the suspects to flee the scene without taking the money. Police responded to an emergency call and discovered one man injured in the hotel lobby. A search of the suspects’ room uncovered gear used in the crime, including fake weapons, batons, vests, and a money counter.
Investigators believe the robbery was premeditated and carefully organized. Authorities are now questioning the detained individual and plan to request a pretrial detention warrant.
This incident is part of a wider trend of rising violence linked to the cryptocurrency sector. Recent weeks have seen multiple cases of kidnapping and extortion targeting crypto investors worldwide. Security firms report a surge in demand for personal protection from high-profile figures in the industry, highlighting growing concerns over crypto-related crime.
